Page 56 of Tainted Love

But tonight is prom night, a chance to let go of our worries and simply have fun with our friends. We’re meeting at Ivy’s house soon, but I’ve planned a special surprise for Taz before that.

As I finish getting ready, excitement bubbles in my chest. My parents’ car pulls into the driveway, signaling the successful completion of our secret mission.

Glancing out the window, I watch my dad rush to the passenger side and help Ida out of the car. She stands with his strong arms supporting her, her tiny bird-bone fingers gripping him for support.

Once she’s standing tall, my mom comes around from the back of the car with her walker.

When I first asked about taking Ida out of the facility for the afternoon, the staff emphasized the importance of using her walker. That went over about as well as an ice sale in Alaska, but eventually, she agreed.

As they make their way through the front door, I march next door to Taz’s room. He answers my knock, looking disheveled in his tuxedo pants and open dress shirt. My eyes wander down his chest before I shake myself out of my lustful thoughts. There’s no time for that now.

My voice stammers as I meet his piercing gaze, a flutter somersaulting in my stomach. He smirks at me, causing a rush of heat to flood my cheeks. “Hurry up and come downstairs,” I manage to say, trying to play it cool.

“Why?” he asks, lifting one eyebrow accusingly as his interest is piqued.

“Don’t ask questions,” I reply, my heart racing with anticipation. “Just come on.” I turn to walk away, but his strong grip catches my wrist, pulling me back toward him. He looks me up and down, his eyes lingering on every curve and detail of my appearance.

“You look stunning, Sash,” he says softly, his words igniting warmth in my chest. For a moment, I am lost in the sweetness of his compliment before snapping back to reality.

“Thank you,” I respond, biting my lip nervously. “Now hurry up!” My urgency returns as I remember the reason for our haste.

Taz descends the staircase a few minutes later, his bowtie dangling from his hand. “Hey, can someone lend me a hand with this?” he asks before abruptly stopping at the sight of his grandmother sitting beside me on the couch.

“Gram!” he exclaims, rushing over to envelop her in a warm hug. “What are you doing here?”

“Sascha planned an evening out for me,” she answers sweetly.

Taz’s expression shifts from confusion to delight as she continues, “I’m here to see you off to prom, and then we are going to have a lovely meal at that charming Italian restaurant I’ve always liked. Goodness. I haven’t been there in years.”

“And then we’ll make sure she gets home safely,” my mom says reassuringly.

Taz’s face lights up with gratitude and excitement. His voice trembles with emotion as he thanks me and my parents. A glimmer of tears shines in his eyes, but he quickly composes himself, and we spend the next fifteen minutes capturing memories with photos.

His smile radiates pure joy, accentuated by the soft light of the setting sun streaming in from the windows. Time stands still as we bask in the warmth of the moment.

Chapter 24

“Kids In America”

Taz - Age 18, 1988

Sitting in the sleek limo with my friends, I feel on top of the world. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I’d be able to spend this night with my closest friends and Gram. It was a wonderful surprise, all orchestrated by the dark-haired beauty beside me.

As we make our way to the event, I can’t help but feel drawn to Sascha. She’s been on my mind all week. The desire to pull her into my lap and inhale her fragrance, etching it into my memory forever, is almost overwhelming. But she’s not ready for that kind of relationship yet.

Right now, we were in a strange gray zone, somewhere between friendship and more. We aren’t officially dating, but there’s something more between us. It’s like being a secret friend with benefits, a dynamic I never thought would bother me until now. With Sascha, it’s complicated. She’s everything I never knew I wanted, yet someone who may be out of reach.

As the year draws to a close, it’s not lost on me that her reluctance to start something serious might be due to the time of year. Or maybe that has nothing to do with it. Maybe it’s as simple as my own shortcomings. My personality doesn’t fit into the edgy, artistic mold she’s been attracted to in the past. Instead, I’m an athlete and a goofball by nature. Maybe that’s enough for a casual fling but not for a committed relationship.

Suddenly, Landry’s voice cuts through my thoughts, breaking me out of my self-doubt. Thankful for the distraction, I turn to face him.

“Hey Taz, did you remember to bring some drinks?” he asks eagerly.

I force a strained smile; my hands tremble with nerves. “Yep. Had to do some serious shoulder tapping, but I managed to get what we need.” My mind flashes back to the liquor store parking lot, filled with apprehension and the trepidation of asking strangers for alcohol. Most people turned a blind eye; some even yelled at me in disgust. But eventually, after an hour of persistence and offering extra cash, someone agreed to help us.

Considering my family’s history of alcohol abuse, I try not to drink too often. But tonight is a special occasion—we’re staying on Kerri’s property in a barn, so I thought it would be okay to let loose a little. After all, that was the plan for the night—to have fun and forget our worries.

The dance is like any typical high school event—blaring music from a DJ, colorful balloons and streamers, and a hired photographer.